VICE Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. yesterday urged all new or reelected Provincial Board (PB) members to put the people’s interests above that of their political patrons.
“We are all majority for the people. No political affiliation. We should just work for the best interest of Cebu,” Sanchez said.
The vice governor, who is on his third consecutive term, will preside over a board where only one member does not belong to or is in an alliance with the One Cebu party, which Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia heads.
Only PB Member-elect Arleigh Sitoy of the sixth district belongs to the Liberal Party, out of 12 members elected last May 10.
Sergio Restauro of the first district ran with Alayon and Agnes Magpale and Jude Thaddeus Sybico ran with Bakud, but both district parties forged an alliance with One Cebu.
All the eight others elected belong to Lakas and One Cebu: Julian Daan of the first district; Peter John Calderon and Wilfredo Caminero of the second district; Caesar Ian Zambo and Alex Binghay of the third district; Sun Shimura and Joven Mondigo Jr. of the fourth district; and Thadeo Ouano of the sixth district.
The board’s inaugural session will be on July 5.
Sanchez said he still believes that the board members want to work for the best interest of Cebuanos, not for vested interests.
He said there are transactions entered into by the Cebu Provincial Government that need to be reviewed by the board. These include the outsourcing of manpower for the district hospitals, the P5 entrance fee at the Cebu South Bus Terminal and the P98-million purchase of the Balili property, part of which turned out to be underwater.
When sought for comment, One Cebu secretary-general Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district), said any doubts about the board members’ priorities lie only in Sanchez’s mind.
“Maybe that’s why he is alone in the Provincial Board, or why he lost in his own district and why his majority in his hometown Tuburan is steadily decreasing with every election,” said the congressman in a text message.
“Vice Governor Sanchez’s tactic is to peddle lies until somebody buys it. Just listen to Bantay Radyo. Fortunately, Cebuanos aren’t buying his lies. Just like nobody is buying Lacto Pafi anymore,” he added.
Bantay Radyo station manager Valeriano Carillo Jr. said the radio station, which Sanchez owns, gave all politicians, regardless of political affiliation, the chance to discuss their candidacy.
Sanchez defeated the governor’s running mate, businessman Glenn Anthony Soco, by 26,000 votes. Governor Garcia, in turn, defeated Sanchez’s running mate, Hilario Davide III, by 96,000 votes. (EOB)